Quick Fact – Engendering Envy

Casino History, Did You Know?, Eli Francovich, Gambling History, Games / Races, Games / Races: Wheel of Fortune, Gaming History, Governing / Regulatory Bodies: Reno City Council (NV), Nevada, Quick Facts, Reno--Nevada, United States, Wine House (Reno, NV)Leave a comment

1929 When the only types of legal gambling in Nevada were poker, five hundred, solo, whist, parimutuel betting on horse races and slot machines with restrictions, owner Eli Francovich* installed in his Wine House club in Reno a mesmerizing, colorful wheel of fortune bedecked with $1, $5, $10 and $20 bills. Because it drew more…

Gambling Trouble at World’s Fair in San Francisco

'49 Camp (San Francisco, CA), Boxers / Fight Promoters: James W. Coffroth, California, Casino History, Crimes / Violence / Punishments: Gambling, Events, Events: Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Events: Panama-Pacific International Exposition: '49 Camp (San Francisco, CA), Gambling, Gambling Currency: Scrip, Gambling History, Gambling Laws / Regulations: CA Anti-Gambling Act, Games / Races: 21 / Blackjack, Games / Races: Craps, Games / Races: Faro, Games / Races: Roulette, Games / Races: Wheel of Fortune, Gaming History, It Really Happened, James W. Coffroth, Samuel "Sam" P. Davis, San Francisco--California, United StatesLeave a comment

1915 The ’49 Camp, one of the attractions at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, offered a gambling experience in which chips could be bought for money but cashed only for free-admission coupons for the other Joy Zone amusements. However, event officials soon discovered the gaming taking place was more real than pretend. Roaring Recreation This…